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Home Organization The key to a successful home is organization. Many of us find that this is an elusive task that never can be achieved. The problem is that we often try to accomplish the entire task all at once. If we attempt this feat, we are doomed for failure. Organization, like so many other areas in life, is a habit. An action cannot become a habit until it is repeated. Therefore, break your home organization into steps, then accomplish one step at a time. When one goal becomes a habit (an action done without forethought) move on to the next step. What most of us long for is a home that is presentable. No more toys and math manipulatives lying about each day. No dust bunnies in the corners or cob webs on the ceilings. The first habit to work on is each evening everything that has been used is to be put away. It may sound easy to establish this evening habit, but it may take time to make this part of your daily routine. This job is for everyone in the family. Each family member is responsible for their own stuff. Even a toddler can be taught to place their toys in the proper place. In fact, the sooner this becomes a habit, the easier organization will become for the child. If everyone works together, this should only take 15 - 20 minutes. It is wonderful to wake each morning and not have to face clutter. Do this for 30 days, than move on to the next step. The next step is to have a home that is clean. Don't strive for a sterile home, though nice, this will only lead to feelings of defeat. For now, be satisfied with a home that appears neat and clean. Each week spend 30-60 minutes blessing your house. A small house can be done one morning for 30 minutes. A larger house may take two mornings at 30 minutes each day. We have found that blessing the house 30 minutes before our school day starts assures that the chores are accomplished. If we wait until school is done, no one has energy to clean house. Blessing the house is a corporate activity -- that means kids clean too! Make a simple list of what needs to be accomplished. Don't assign specific tasks, just set a timer (preferably a ticking timer) for 30 minutes and go. As a task is accomplished, cross it off and move on to the next. The goal is to complete the list in 30 minutes. Don't obsess about detailed cleaning. This is just a quick once over to tidy up the house. (for more ideas go to www.flylady.net )
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Meal Planning
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